Valve spring tool



June 5, 1934. GARDELLA 1,961,876

VALVE SPRING TOOL Original Filed July 14. 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor farrlpzla flllorney June 5, 1934. N. G. GARDELLA 1,961,876

' VALVE SPRING TOOL Original Filed July 14. 19252 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 5, 1934 PATENT OFFEYCE VALVE SPRING TOOL Nicholas G. Gal'della, tichmond, Calif., assignor of one-half to William Gardella, Richmond,

Calif.

Application July 14, 1932, Serial No. 622,542 Renewed April 28, 1934 2 Claims.

This invention relates to that class of invention including tools and implements for mechanics repair work on internal combustion engines and motors such as are used in present day automobiles, airplanes, and the like. Tools of the specific type to which I refer are sometimes designated as valve spring lifters, coinpressors, and analogous devices.

My primary aim is to generally improve upon known types of prior art tools and devices by providing one which is structurally improved and refined to such a degree as to permit it to be handled more successfully and efficiently for valve repair work on motors of the type speci- The explicit details selected to accomplish this purpose will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like guy numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the different views:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a tool of the style and type constituting the novelty of this invention and embodying an adapter frame attachment usable in connection with valves of the overhead type, such as are used in Buick type motors.

Figure 2 is an edge or end elevational view of Figure 1 observing it in a direction from right to left in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional and elevational detail view of the compressor unit.

Figures 4 and 5 are elevational views of modified types of adapter frames usable in connection with motors of the T and L form.

Figure 6 is simply a fragmentary plan view of the fork end of the device shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Figure 1.

The spring compressor unit 8 comprises a sleeve 9 which may be designated as an outer sleeve, which sleeve is provided in its bottom with an integral bracket 10 to which the cam 11 is pivotally connected as indicated at 12. The cam is provided with an appropriate operating lever or handle 13.

This sleeve is mounted in a splitannulus or ring 14 forming a part of a clamp, whose conbind or loosen the clamping annulus 14 to permit adjustment of the outer sleeve 9.

The opposite end of the tube 16 provides a socket to accommodate the various types of adapter frames used in connection with the in- '60 vention.

The numeral 18 designates the inner relatively slidable sleeve which is of a length longer than the outer sleeve 9 as shown in Figure 3. At its lower end, the inner sleeve is internally screw- 5 threaded and provided with an integral outstanding, abutment flange 19. The numeral 20 designates a feed rod having a head 21 on its upper endand having its lower end portion 22 screw-threaded and adjustably mounted in the .70 threads of the sleeve 18. In fact, the screwthreaded end 22 extends down beyond the flange where it is constructed to accommodate a detachable presser foot 23, which is suitably constructed to embrace the valve stem for compressing the spring (not shown).

The numeral 2% designates a return spring which surrounds the upper end portion of the sleeve 18 and bears at its lower end against the adjacent upper end of the sleeve 9 and at its upper end against the underside of the retention head 21.

With this arrangement it is obvious that the rod 26 serves as a set screw for initially adjusting the presser foot 23. After this has been ac- 5 oomplished the lever 13 is actuated to operate the cam 11 which exerts downward pressure against the flange 19 thus sliding the inner sleeve 18 and rod 20 downwardly through the outer sleeve 9. By turning the cam over until the flat v edge 11c comes into contact with the flange, this adjustment may be retained against the tension of the return spring 24.

The entire unit 8 is however bodily adjustable through the annulus or ring 14 by loosening the $5 binding screw 17 as is obvious.

Different types of adapter frames are used for retaining the complete tool in position on the motor. For example, the style of frame denoted by the numeral 25 in Figures 1 and 2 is employed for overhead valve motors, for example of the type built in motors used by Buick cars. The frame 25 comprises a short shank 26 which fits telescopically into the tube 16, and a companion arm 2'? whose terminal end 28 is constructed to permit it to be inserted through the spark plug hole in the block after the spark plug has been removed in order that said end may be engaged with the head of the valve. The numeral 29 merely distinguishes the connecting portion between the shank 26 and arm 27.

The frame 30 in Figure 4 is expressly designed for use in connection with well-known types of airplane motors and this is characterized by a similar portion 26a, 27a and 28a With the connecting portion 29a.

The numeral 31 designates still another type of frame usable in connection with L and T motor blocks and this comprises a shank 26b and arms 27b, terminal fork members 28b and a connective member 29b.

Generically stated, it is obvious that these various types of adapter frames 25, 30 and 31 possess common features applicable to the particular types of motors with which they are used, each one having a standard shank to be removably fitted in the adjacent socket forming end of the tube 16.

The unit 8 is retained for all types of valves. Therefore, the essential features of the invention are the tube 16 which serves as a holder for the unit 8 and the various types of retaining or adapter frames used in connection therewith. The specific novelty is predicated upon the explicit construction of the multiple part unit 8.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming Within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. In a structure of the class described, an open-ended tube, a clamp comprising a split annulus having arm portions extending into the adjacent end of said tube, a binding screw carried by the tube and connected with said arm portions, an outer sleeve mounted in said annulus, a cam pivotally mounted on the lower end portion of said outer sleeve, an inner slidable sleeve having a flange at its lower end with which said cam is co-operable, said inner sleeve being internally screw-threaded, a rod having a screw-threaded portion threaded through and beyond said sleeve and provided on its lower end with a presser foot, and a coiled return spring surrounding the inner sleeve, bearing at its 10W- er end against said outer sleeve and at its upper end against a part of said rod.

2. A device of the class described comprising an outer sleeve, a supporting member therefor, an inner sleeve having sliding movement in the outer sleeve, a flange connected with the lower end of the inner sleeve, a cam pivotally connected to the lower end of the outer sleeve for engaging the flange to move the inner sleeve when the cam is operated, a rod passing through the inner sleeve and threaded thereto, a spring having its upper end engaging a part of the rod and its lower end a part of the outer sleeve for normally holding the rod and inner sleeve with the flange of the inner sleeve engaging the lower end of the outer sleeve.

NICHOLAS G. GARDELLA. 

